Nansana teen mother held over suspected newborn murder
During police interrogation, the suspect reportedly stated that she had become overwhelmed by the baby’s health condition, hunger, and uncertainty regarding the child’s paternity.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala speaking to journalists today (August 31) during the weekly security briefing at Naguru, Kampala (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
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Police in Wakiso District have detained a 17-year-old mother in connection with the suspected murder of her two-week-old baby boy.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Recheal Kawala, the incident allegedly occurred on August 27 while the teenager was staying at a friend’s room.
The suspect allegedly threw the newborn into a pit latrine at her landlady’s residence in Katooke B, Nansana Municipality.
The case came to light on August 29 after community members, who were aware that the teenager had recently given birth, began questioning the whereabouts of the baby.
During police interrogation, the suspect reportedly stated that she had become overwhelmed by the baby’s health condition, hunger, and uncertainty regarding the child’s paternity.
Security officials, alongside local residents, recovered the infant’s body from the latrine and transported it to Mulago Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Speaking to journalists today (August 31) during the weekly security briefing at Naguru, Kampala, Kawala confirmed that investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
“Further details will be provided as investigations progress,” she said.
What the law says
Under Ugandan law, a mother who causes the death of her child may be charged with either infanticide or murder, depending on the child’s age and the mother’s mental state at the time of the incident.
According to Section 213 of the Penal Code Act, infanticide applies under specific conditions: the child must be under 12 months old, and the mother’s mind must have been disturbed due to not having fully recovered from the effects of childbirth or lactation.
However, if the child is over 12 months old, or if the court determines the mother’s mind was not disturbed by the effects of birth or lactation, the act does not qualify as infanticide.
In such cases, the mother may face general murder charges, which carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or death, at the judge’s discretion based on mitigating factors.
This tragic incident occurs against a backdrop of complex national trends.
According to the Uganda Police Force Annual Crime Report 2025 that was released in March 2026, child-related offenses remain a significant concern.
Murders resulting from domestic violence rose by 13.7%, reaching 208 cases in 2025 compared to 183 in 2024.
The Criminal Investigations Directorate consistently cites domestic distress, postpartum mental health struggles, socio-economic hardships, and paternity disputes as primary catalysts for infanticide and severe child abuse.